Hospital at Home – Flu Season Support (applicable as of 10/12/2025)
Hospital at Home offers an alternative to hospital admission for patients who are acutely unwell with Influenza this season. It is designed to provide safe, symptom-focused management where admission may not be the best option. It is available to all adults but is most appropriate for frail older adults or those likely to have poor hospital outcomes. We can provide Oxygen, Nebulizers and IV antibiotics as required.
When to consider referring:
- NEWS =/> 5
- Oxygen saturations < 92% or below baseline
- Signs of sepsis
These patients are most likely to benefit from H@H support. For milder cases, symptom management in primary care will remain the most appropriate approach.
If you think H@H could help, please refer in the usual manner. Please ensure all appropriate infection control measures are implemented for all care home residents in whom Influenza is suspected.
Lothian Hospital at Home (H@H) Teams
Hospital at Home is a service that provides acute, hospital-level care by healthcare professionals in a home context for a condition that would otherwise require acute hospital inpatient care.
Opening Times
Each day (including weekends): 8am-8pm
Contact Numbers:
Edinburgh/East Lothian/Midlothian Residents:
Flow Centre: Option 1 then Option 4
West Lothian Residents:
Operating hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat & Sun 0800-1800
Telephone number: 01506 523173 / Prof 2 Prof line 07811710633
Referral Criteria:
- Resident of Locality (Edinburgh/East Lothian/West Lothian/Midlothian)
- Patient/Carer/Family agree to referral
- Patient would otherwise require admission to hospital
- Safe for assessment at home or homely setting
Exclusion Criteria:
- Acute stroke
- Suspected fracture
- Surgical including abdominal pain
- Cardiac chest pain
- Social Issues Only
- Acute Asthma
- Suspected DVT/PTE
All referrals considered on a case-by-case basis. If unsure contact the relevant team
Other Information
Please do not send a SCI Gateway referral unless the referral has already been accepted as the team may not see it and the referral will not be acted on.
